Report: Vinnie Paul Died in His Sleep

TMZ is reporting that Pantera, Damageplan and Hellyeah drummer Vinnie Paul, who we learned late last night passed away at the age of just 54, died in his sleep at his home in Las Vegas:

“Vinnie’s family tells TMZ … he died in his sleep at his home in Las Vegas. His body’s been turned over to the medical examiner to determine a cause of death, and after that he’ll be flown back to his home state of Texas to be buried between his mom and brother.”

I think I can speak on behalf of music fans everywhere in letting out a big sigh of relief that suicide was not the cause of death, whatwith several high-profile musicians taking their own lives in recent months and years. Hopefully the medical examiner’s report will shed further light on what took his death so prematurely.

Tributes to Vinnie have been pouring in from throughout the metalsphere, with musicians such as Geezer Butler, Dave Mustaine, Zakk Wylde, Slash, Scott Ian, Robb Flynn and many, many more sharing their memories of Paul’s legacy. You can keep up with those here.